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Teens collect devices to connect COVID-19 patients with family and friends

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Updated: 9:19 AM CDT Apr 23, 2020

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TONIGHT ABOUT HOW áYOU CAN DONATE A DEVICE TO KEEP PEOPLE CONNECTED WHEN THEY NEED IT MOST. (ON CAM) <XXXXXX JEAN COVID CONNECTIONS KAYA: 19:07:13 REALLY ESSENTIALLY ALL WE DID IS SAY HEY DONATE DEVICES AND WE'LL GET THEM WHEREVER THEY NEED TO GO 19:07:19 XXXXX> (PHOTO OF KAYA HOLDING UP IPAD AND IPHONE) (KEYE-UH SOONER) KAYA SUNER POSTED THE IDEA ON FACEBOOK - COLLECT IPADS AND IPHONES SO COVID- 19 PATIENTS IN THE HOSPITAL CAN COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR LOVED ONES (PHOTO OF BOXES AND/OR TWO STUDENTS AT GRADUATION) WHEN THE RESPONSE WAS OVERWHELMING - HE TEAMED UP WITH HIS FORMER CLASSMATE CHRISTOPHER FROM NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL (ON CAM) <XXXXXX JEAN COVID CONNECTIONS CHRIS 19:12:39 JUST KNOWING IT MIGHT GIVE SOMEONE A CHANCE TO SAY GOODBYE IS SORT OF WHAT DRIVES ALL OF US 19:12:45 XXXXX> (WEBSITE) THEY LAUNCHED COVIDCONNECTORS. ORG. THE WEBSITE GUIDES YOU THROUGH CLEARING AND SENDING IN APPLE DEVICES - FIRST, THEY FILLED THE NEED AT RHODE ISLAND HOSPITALS <XXXXX VIDEO FROM "WATCH THE FILM" BLUE TAB ON FRONT PAGE OF COVIDCONNECTORS.ORG :00 "WE ARE EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS, PASSIONATE ABOUT CONNECTING OUR PATIENTS WITH LOVED ONES, SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR DONATING" :09 XXXXXX> (CMC EXTERIORS - EVEN OVER BRIGHAM) NOW THEY'RE HELPING CATHOLIC MEDICAL CENTER IN MANCHESTER PROVIDE 250 DEVICES NEEDED - ALONG WITH BRIGHAM HEALTH IN MASSACHUSETTS (PHOTOS) KAYA FEELS A STRONG PULL TO PITCH IN - HIS PARENTS ARE BOTH DOCTORS (ON CAM) <XXXXX JEAN COVID CONNECTIONS 19:06:25 JEAN: HOW INSPIRED ARE YOU BY YOUR OWN PARENTS, BOTH ER DOCTORS? 19:06:29 XXXXXX> <XXXXX JEAN COVID CONNECTIONS KAYA: 19:06:34 IT'S A PRETTY BIG MOTIVATOR TO HAVE MY PARENTS WORKING ON THE FRONT LINES 19:06:38 XXXXXX> <XXXXXX JEAN COVID CONNECTIONS KAYA: 19:08:46 WHETHER IT'S JUST SOMEONE CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY WITH THEIR FAMILY, SOMEONE GETTING READ THEIR LAST RITES, OR SOMEONE SAYING GOODBYE TO THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS 19:08:55 XXXXX> (ON CAM) <XXXXXX JEAN COVID CONNECTIONS CHRIS: 19:12:32 I CAN'T IMAGINE IF ONE OF MY RELATIVES WAS IN THE HOSPITAL AND NOT BEING ABLE TO TALK TO THEM 19:12:37 XXXXX> THEY HOPE áSOON TH

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Teens collect devices to connect COVID-19 patients with family and friends

Two young men have launched an incredible project so COVID-19 patients in New England can FaceTime with their loved ones from the hospital. Kaya Suner posted the idea on Facebook, collecting iPads and iPhones so COVID-19 patients in the hospital can communicate with their loved ones. The response was overwhelming, and soon Suner partnered with former classmate Christopher Fridlington. The team helps connect families celebrating a birthday with their family, someone getting read their last rites, or someone saying goodbye to their family members. “Just knowing it might give someone a chance to say goodbye is sort of what drives all of us,” Fridlington said.The pair launched covidconnectors.org, the website guides you through clearing and sending in Apple devices. First, they filled the need at Rhode Island hospitals. They have helped Catholic Medical Center in Manchester to provide 250 devices needed, along with Brigham Health in Massachusetts.Suner feels a strong pull to pitch in, with both parents being doctors. “It’s a pretty big motivator to have my parents working on the front lines,” Suner said.They hope soon their efforts will not be needed, but until then, they’ll keep collecting and connecting.

MANCHESTER, N.H. —

Two young men have launched an incredible project so COVID-19 patients in New England can FaceTime with their loved ones from the hospital.

Kaya Suner posted the idea on Facebook, collecting iPads and iPhones so COVID-19 patients in the hospital can communicate with their loved ones. The response was overwhelming, and soon Suner partnered with former classmate Christopher Fridlington.

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The team helps connect families celebrating a birthday with their family, someone getting read their last rites, or someone saying goodbye to their family members.

“Just knowing it might give someone a chance to say goodbye is sort of what drives all of us,” Fridlington said.

The pair launched covidconnectors.org, the website guides you through clearing and sending in Apple devices. First, they filled the need at Rhode Island hospitals.

They have helped Catholic Medical Center in Manchester to provide 250 devices needed, along with Brigham Health in Massachusetts.

Suner feels a strong pull to pitch in, with both parents being doctors.

“It’s a pretty big motivator to have my parents working on the front lines,” Suner said.

They hope soon their efforts will not be needed, but until then, they’ll keep collecting and connecting.